First… notice that this article is “Learning A Blues Tune,” (singular, as in not tunes.)
Why? Because (we) guitar players have a habit of trying to learn a LOT of things at once.
And the first step in learning to play the blues better, is to focus on 1 thing at a time.
But I’m already digressing so let’s bring it in to focus a little:
How To Learn How To Play Blues Songs…
Step 1: Pick 1 Song
It’s always better to focus on 1 song… not 10. Yes, it’s great to have a list of songs you want to learn, but let’s tackle them 1 at a time.
There are a lot of common blues tunes that you might want to start with:
- The Thrill Is Gone
- I’m Tore Down
- Stormy Monday
- Sweet Home Chicago
- Key To The Highway
and of course… there are a LOT more. If you need some ideas on where to start just mention that in the comments after this article and we can help with that 🙂
Step 2: Listen…
This is one of those times when the old way is just better. Back in the day (before the internet) we listened to a song or an album over and over again because there was no other access to music.
You couldn’t just go on YouTube and hear something new. There was no Spotify, or iTunes, or Pandora to give us mountains of new music all the time.
Now, don’t get me wrong, those services and that access is awesome… but you have to use them well.
You do that by choosing a song, and then listening to that song as much as you can stand. In many cases there will be several recordings of the same song – choose your favorites and listen to them over and over.
Turn them on in the car, when you workout, when you do the dishes… get to the point where you can hum right along with every last minute detail of the song.
And again, choose the recording you are going to try and emulate – that’s where you’ll want to start.
Step 3: The Groove
To begin with, don’t worry about any fancy intros or leads or fancy licks – just get the groove and the chords.
This is where blues helps us because most songs are a 12 bar blues and we can rely on that. Listen for the type of groove and the changes.
It might be something like The Tore Down groove where it’s a common idea. The more riffs and grooves like that you learn, the easier you’ll simply recognize them in songs when you hear them.
Which brings up an interesting point – it’s way easier to learn a dozen grooves (like you find in Blues Guitar Unleashed, for example) and apply those to songs than it is to learn a dozen songs and try to dissect those songs into their parts.
Step 4: Add The Parts
Once you have the general groove of the song, it’s a lot easier to add an intro and any sort of ending that might appear on the original recording.
If you can’t currently play the intro as it is on the recording, you might have to adapt it. That process of adapting pieces to make them so you can play them will usually do more for your playing than actually being able to play the real intro itself!
Step 5: Calculate The Solo
Before you try to learn the solo from the recording (if that’s your intention) try and use your brain first. What key is it in? Do you hear mostly standard type licks or do you hear something jazzy or do you hear mixtures of major and minor sounds?
Is it in time in general? Is there space between the licks? do you recognize any of the licks compared to licks you already know?
Make some educated guesses about how you think the solo would go. Whether or not you’re right doesn’t matter… it’s trying and gaining the experience that makes the difference.
Step 6: Play!
Play along with the original recording or a jam track you found or whatever you have – if all you have is a metronome or a drum machine then use it.
Try playing the song as much as you possibly can. Play the parts you know, and add in variations or new things as you learn them. Remember that it’s a work in progress and it might take a few weeks to learn the song. Don’t worry because as your experience and repertoire grows you’ll get faster and faster at learning the songs.
Also remember that the more you study different licks and grooves and the pieces of the blues, the faster and easier you can recognize those pieces when you hear them in recordings.
48 replies to "Learning A Blues Tune"
Love it! Thank you so much, very helpful!
Justin 🙂
http://guitarpickzone.com/best-guitar-amp-stand/
Learn it the way Griff says. After you’ve learned it the way the recording sounds put your own feel into it. I’m 73 and been playing a long time in different bands. I learn something new almost every time I pick my instrument up. All the years I’ve played I can honestly say that learning it Griff’s way is the best approach and then take it a step further and put your own spin on it.
Awe yes I remember putting the needle on the record at the same Part over and over again ’till I got it. I sometimes think that if I would of had youtube back then how much more i could have learned. But then again listening 👂 and tuning in to the sound has made me the guitarist I am today. There’s something to be said about learning it by ear.
In an interview David Gilmour said that he started out with a guitar instruction book by Pete Seeger, a singer and player of multiple string instruments, who taught songs you sing and play to. That was how he became comfortable with playing and singing together early on.
Hi Griff, It is really good to know on how to learn songs , as you describe here is exactly how I learn any song in general…. And the better you get at guitar,the faster and less time is spent learning a song …I have 4 nights a week for Rocking out to those many songs,standing and playing by complete memory,. with the volume cranked up of course,.. There really is nothing that compares to it, A total blast!
O
Would like you to answer more comments. Your a great teacher. Keep it up.
My obsession is learning how to play and sing Have a problem with that.
So many questions, such a small field to address them… Let me tell you what I’ve been up to for the last couple of weeks.
There’s a Little Feat song- written by Alan Toussaint- called ‘On Your Way Down’. It’s not a twelve-bar, it’s sixteen, but it’s still the blues. I have the Tabs HD app, which not only tells me the chords, but also allows me to transpose them into a key I’m comfortable in (usually A). I also have a BR800 portable studio thingy (there are cheaper alternatives, but the BR800 is really intuitive). Two Saturdays ago I spent the entire evening laying down some ‘modelled’ acoustic guitar and bass over a simple 72bpm rhythm track, eight repetitions in all (with fills) which gave me eight minutes of backing track along the lines of Am D F E with (eventually) no discernible errors.
Now I’m not Lowell George, or Rory G, or SRV, and will never play like any of them. But after two weeks of working on those eight minutes, trying different licks and tones, I have an arrangement that is neither AT nor LF, but mine, all mine. Moreover, I would be happy to air it in public if I could get someone to sing the damn’ thing. It might be the first thing I’ve really worked at, and it really works- ‘On Your Way Down’ (Toussaint arr Wal).
I guess what I’m trying to say is pick a song- ANY song (of the five Griff listed I had heard of just one, but I’m more of a John Lee Hooker man at heart)- and make it yours. You’ll need some way of finding the chords, some means of laying down a backing track, and time. Lots of time. But at the end of the day you’re not aiming to be a fifth-rate BB King, but a damn’ fine blues(wo)man in your own right, right?
Sorry to take up so much thread, but if it helps a few of you…
1. pick a song
2. listen
3. THE GROOVE – in your enthusiasm, don’t race past this. Blues is ALL ABOUT THE GROOVE!
“…it’s way easier to learn a dozen grooves (like you find in Blues Guitar Unleashed, for example) and apply those to songs than it is to learn a dozen songs and try to dissect those songs into their parts.”
Having a great library of grooves (I translate this as rhythms) will provide a solid foundation to work from, to lay very cool riffs and lead lines on. Laying down a solid groove foundation is essential. A skillfully held groove keeps a band moving forward on a well defined path and is necessary to all the other parts you may want to play.
Get yourself grounded with a groove. Then move on to the other details. I find it impossible to play well without the clear focus mastering the groove provides.
We can’t walk, not to mention run without first having a solid footing.
ALL I CAN SAY, IS WHEN PLAYING BACK IN THE 60’S THIS WAS THE ONLY WAY TO LEARN A SONG. BY EAR! YOUR SO RIGHT IN FACT, TO THIS DAY, ALL THIS JUMBLE ON 12 BARS, 8 BARS, MAJOR, MINOR SCALES, OR JUST THE SONG IT SELF, WAS MUCH EASIER TO LEARN BY WATCHING AND LISTENING.
THIS IS WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOUR STYLE OF TEACHING GRIFF. YOU SHOW WHERE TO PUT YOUR FINGERS AND WALK US THROUGH IT.
NEVER HAD THAT 40 YEARS AGO. SO TO THIS DAY, WITH MOST OF YOUR DVD’S, I STILL JUST USE THE TABS AND MY EAR. I NOW KNOW THE BARS . TANKS
Great Choice for the five blues Songs Griff. Thank you so much.
Griff 5 of the greatest blues songs ever. thanks for your help and understanding of the blues.
as always Griff, good advise…the more you listen, the more you learn…amazing how one can go back and listen to a song and hear something that they’ve never heard before…always good to revisit a song…thanks…later.
cowboy
None of the songs mentioned above are my favorite songs. How does one proceed then?
Since this is method to learn any song, it doesn’t really matter if the song you choose is your favorite. Just pick one of the five listed and learn it using Griff’s method. Then learn any other song you want. Or use your favorite song and apply the method. Easy, no?
Pick a song you like and work on it. But pick something that’s not too much of a stretch for your abilities.
Griff , Great Road Map… Where to start at Intermediate level.
Here I am 69 Yrs going on about 40 years in looks and health… hopefully that continues with a Guitar but starting very late on Electric Guitar and in retirement. That means a lot to learn in a much shorter time than expected and want to be able to jam with other BGU friends and have a good time and eventually launch with my BGU friends the first BGU LIVE Jam toward Summer 2017 ( Jan 2017)in Sydney and be able to show off what we have learned from Griff of BGU.
I have established a list about 30-50 Songs that I want to learn which include Blues Songs and including Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Elvis, Mavericks, Everly Brothers etc. I am learning them One at A Time.
I would like to join a Rock N Roll band and Play some great Blues Guitar as a Speciality to keep the Dancers Rockin and Further Up the Road is one of them. So give me some ideas of How to Plan all this bearing in Mind I am an ex Semi Pro drummer and know most of the songs for the Beat and timing and Lyrics just need to know how to plan the process in stages over say 5 years.
Thanks for your help.
Michael- Sydney-Australia – July 2016
Griff, Sorry Typo in my above comment BGU LIVE Jam Summer 2017 and in Jan 2018 AEST.
Michael -Sydney- Australia – July 2016
Rats! I’ll be away from Sydney most of Jan ’18. If it’s early, I’ll do my level best to be there, though.
Hi John, We have not set the proposed BGU Live in Jan 2018 in concrete as one of my BGU friends has been side tracked with an overseas project in April 2017.. but it would be good to get to know you and what stage you are at.. you can make contact with me by Mob 0410 806 818 for a chat.. I am retired.. and so are the others We will probably now aim for summer in 2019 now..
Talk soon..
Michael – Sydney -Australia 23 June 2017
Hey Griff,
I saw this lesson back in July 2016 and it is a great refresher. When I took up the electric guitar back in Jan 2013 I set myself a goal to learn Blues Guitar and songs based around 12 Bar Blues and to be able to play Johnny B Goode by Chuck Berry from A-Z. I joined up with BGU and purchased a lot of courses as well as save all your email lessons to tap into during my progress..
As well as doing gradually all the BGU courses I am now taking lessons locally from June 2017 in How to play electric Guitar & Sing the songs.. very difficult. So I am getting JBG transcribed into A from Bb original so I can learn to play it in the key I can sing it.. I am only learning this song and it will probably take a few years to learn. Thanks to you Griff and the BGU courses I am now at advanced beginner or just tipping into intermediate.. your method of teaching Blues Guitar & Rock Guitar is awesome and I look forward to maybe one day attend one of your BGU Live events..
Michael-Sydney-Australia 23rd June 2017
Chuck and then Victor: Good question and a good reply. Thank you both.
Hey Griff…I’d really like to learn how to play The Thrill is Gone, at least some sort of version a beginner like me could manage. Seems like the next step for me (Step 3) is to figure out the chords and rhythm. However, try as I might, I can’t figure out what the chords are. My ear isn’t great to begin with, but even so, the groove doesn’t sound like chords I recognize, beyond their being primarily a minor sound. I’m not sure if the harmony rules are helping me. I think the I is a B, so I assume that the IV and V are E and F? But are they Maj7? minor7? Just Bm, Em & Fm? Maybe it’s the minor sound throwing me off.
I hesitate to go to tab sites–who knows what I could come away with. Any help you could offer would be appreciated–I really love the song (and have been listening to it regularly). Thanks Griff!
Hi Chuck,
The song is in B minor. My band and I play this song all the time. We love it!
You can play it with Bm – Em – F#m, but it sounds more nicely and interesting using Bm7, Em7, G9 and F#7/9. This solo is in Bm. Have fun trying.
Victor
Thanks, Victor!
Another great song that’s more country than blues, but still in the format, is I’m Movin’ On by Hank Snow (and Johnny Cash and Elvis and Roseanne Cash and damned near everyone else).
Thank you so much I’ve been trying to follow your teachings for quite awhile I’m picking up on a bunch of it but I still have a problem hearing the leads and fill. I’ve not been able to stick to one song or even two songs but I’m still trying. Your lessons have been a real blessing please keep up the good work. I’m hoping soon I’ll get it but until I do please keep giving me more lessons God knows I need the help thanks again Gary
Hey Griff,
Those are 5 great songs but if you could forward me some more examples that would be great. Thanks
Mark
That’s exactly they way I do it!!
I do add one more step. Once I have the basics down, I add it to my set list and I play the Cr#P out of it at Open Mic Nights and even gigs, then I add a basic solo… Play some gigs, then some fills… Play some gigs(Or open mic nights) then I go back and learn a better solo…
Things just get better and better and I don’t get bored playing the same songs, because they are just different enough to make them a little challenging.
Hi Griff,
I would sure like to hear me playback and learn my mistakes. What kind of recording device would you recommend? It’s gotto be portable so I can carry it around.
Hi Griff, Thanks. Also, thanks go out to Walt for his insightful comments. God bless all us striving pickers. fearless
When I come up with a good guitar lick that I know I will forget I just turn on my iPhone camera so I can see my guitar and I play the piece I want to remember. That helps me a great deal later.
Hey, Griff. Thanks for this and all the info you put out. While I’m somewhat beyond most of it (I’ve been playing for 40 years), I find your approach quite refreshing and easy to follow. I am also a teacher and I’ve taken on a bit of your great explanation process and found it quite useful. I did want to point out one thing about this lesson for all your followers. As you get to step 6, you said to play parts you know and add in variations. For students and other followers, try not to get discouraged when you try something and it doesn’t work. That’s part of the learning process, as well. I’m sure, Griff, that you are aware of this. However, I thought you might mention it to those who are reading/watching your blogs/vids.
Great stuff, as always. Thanks again for what you do.
Al
Very true… the mistakes are as good as the successes – they tell you what not to do next time. Great point!
Since I play a non pedal steel guitar in c6 tuning I didn’t think this was for me. However the four note solo was very useful. I am still learning how to adjust. I.e. For string bends I do slides. Any insights? Thanks
Hey Griff, the answer is simple, the lil’ red rooster came first
Great info as always Thank You Grif!
Gee,, this blog felt like the Sunday church sermon that I just KNOW was directed right at me 😉 I am not ADD until it comes to my guitar practice. I tend to jump around trying to learn the latest cool lick or intro, never even trying to follow through with learning a full song. My husband is beside himself, wondering when I will EVER play a whole tune. I’m no cook, but I think I can follow the recipe on this blog and maybe actually learn a song!. Thanks, Griff, for all the time you spend trying to educate us–it is very much appreciated!
Dee,
I, too, adore what Griff brings. I’m glad you found this lesson and that it will help you. I’m a guitar teacher, as well. 40 years experience. I just wanted to say, don’t feel you’ve wasted your time on the bits and pieces you’ve been learning. As you work with Griff’s formula of learning a single song all the way through, you’ll probably hear some of the little bits (bends, triplets, etc) that you’ve learned in the past and can EASILY apply them to your new song.
Good luck in your progress and remember, always try to have FUN while playing.
Al
Cheers Griff
For the advice I’ve picked a guitarist that I admire Peter Green and I have
Been working on some of his songs along with BGU courses
Cheers Griff
For the remainder still working on Peter Green songs the guy’s vibrato is a life times work
But getting there
It would be good if you could show some video lessons on some of the songs you mentioned
Plus ideas for solos it would put all we learn to practice
Plus it’s better than searching the net I always seem to drift off to other things
I know there’s copy rights but not for educational video’s 😎🎶
“notice that this article is “Learning A Blues Tune,” (singular, as in not tunes.)
Why? Because (we) guitar players have a habit of trying to learn a LOT of things at once.
And the first step in learning to play the blues better, is to focus on 1 thing at a time.”
That quote I cut and pasted directly from your article was what kicked me right in my shin and made me pay attention because it’s as true about me as anything you could’ve said! I find that I am frequently so scattered in my guitar practices and lessons that my learning has suffered greatly. Yet I also know that when I repeat things ad nauseum I make what I’m repeating mine!
It’s also wh our public education system is so flawed! The days of rote memorization and repetitive practice have given way to the latest fads in education which change every year and are replaced by the latest and greatest sales pitch by some eduction pal huckster!
Thanks for a great article!
Griff….where is best place to get the songs in your list? Recording and sheet music?…..thanks, great stuff….john g
I have G tabs App! They have most of what your looking for. I have the additional add on too.
While you can often find professional transcriptions of songs… it’s always good to also use your ear. I encourage you to make educated guesses with your ear before you look up the TAB or sheet music on something. After a while you’ll find you’re right most of the time. What’s most important with printed music is that you get a transcription (what was played) and not the sheet music (which is very simplified.)
Thank you for the way you break down the sequence of trying to play a favorite song we would like to play. As this is where we would struggle most of the time.
There is one way to succeed and that is studying , motivation and never give up.
Thank you for giving us that motivation.
Griff,
Thank you for this insight. As always, it’s the simple approach that is going to be the one to get you there soonest! There is a range of songs that I have in a mental list of “Songs I would love to be able to take the lead on at a Blues Jam”. Now I have a way of possibly turning that list Into a reality. Thanks